So professional kvetcher Erick Erickson has a new project up called “We are the 53%” that purports to speak on behalf of the 53 percent of Americans who pay federal income tax. As per usual with these sorts of things, Erickson fails to note that while many Americans pay no federal income tax, they do pay payroll taxes, state income taxes, sales taxes, excise taxes…. As is his wont, Erickson has posted his own comical self-pity pic bemoaning the fact that he “works” three “jobs” (presumably as an Internet gasbag at RedState, as a radio gasbag on his talk radio show and a TV gasbag on CNN) and is thus one of the Randian Supermen who is supporting all the unwashed losers protesting Wall Street.
It’s been interesting to witness the silliness and propaganda which has characterized the Far Right’s reaction to Occupy Wall Street. Evidently lacking a coherent argument of their own, the typical reaction has been ridicule…and not even very good ridicule. Erick Erickson’s attempt at what can only assumed to be parody has, as is usually the case with him, fallen flat on its face. Someday, Erickson and his compadres will learn that smug arrogance is neither funny nor a compelling argument. First off, Conservatives just aren’t funny (When was the last time Dennis Miller made you laugh?). Second, Erickson needs to get his facts straight AND stop inflating his resume. His sign that says “I work 3 jobs” doesn’t mention that none of those jobs are full-time. Nor is he burdened with having to wonder where his next Big Mac is coming from. And that “house I can’t sell”? That’s actually a second home.
We Are The 53% seems to be little more than a vehicle for the arrogant and self-righteous to trumpet their self-defined superiority. The 53% are legends in their own minds, Ubermenschen because of their perseverance and work ethic. Not that perseverance and a strong work ethic are bad things, mind you; it just doesn’t give you the right to hold yourself above others. Of course, I might as well be talking to a wall, because the We Are The 53% people convinced themselves of their moral superiority a long time ago.
Yeah, Erickson, as is the norm for him, is engaging in some serious “weapons-grade st00pid.” I won’t delve into debunking Erickson’s ignorance, because it won’t change anything. People who (inaccurately and unreasonably) think like him will continue to wallow in their ignorance and arrogance. Those of us in the reality-based world will carry on as we normally would. It would be nice to be able to reason with Erickson and those who think like him, but when your idea of an effective argument is smug arrogance…well, I’d rather pound my forehead into a concrete wall, knowhutimean?
